UVCS/SOHO: The First Two Years

The SOHO Ultraviolet Coronagraph Spectrometer (UVCS/SOHO) has observed the extended solar corona between 1 and 10 R· for more than two years. We review spectroscopic and polarimetric measurements made in coronal holes, equatorial streamers, and coronal mass ejections, as well as selected non-solar targets. UVCS/SOHO has provided a great amount of empirical information about the physical processes that heat and accelerate the solar wind, and about detailed coronal structure and evolution. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Understanding solar streamers: The role of SOHO

Streamers have been observed since far back in time, but our knowledge of their morphology and of their physical characteristics is still very limited. As a consequence, the present streamer picture is largely incomplete: because individual features are poorly known, their role in more general phenomena (like the evolution of the global corona or the solar wind mass and flow pattern) is also poorly known. In this presentation, the more relevant open problems in the understanding of streamers will be illustrated and it will be shown how new data acquired by SOHO may help us to reach a better understanding of these structures.     

Radio emission from coronal streamers

Different models of coronal streamers are used to calculate the radio brightness temperature at the wavelengths of observation of the Nançays Radioheliograph. Calculation are performed assuming the location of the streamer both on the disk and at the limb. Their comparison with observations show that a satisfactory agreement with a particular model can be found in the shape and in the relative enhacement of the streamer with respect to the quiet Sun, although the absolute values of the computed brightness temperatures are much higher than the observed ones.     

FIP Effect in the Solar Upper Atmosphere: Spectroscopic Results

Recent spectroscopic measurements from instruments on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) find that the coronal composition above a polar coronal hole is nearly photospheric. However, similar SOHO observations show that in coronal plasmas above quiet equatorial regions low-FIP elements are enhanced by a factor of ≈ 4. In addition, the process of elemental settling in coronal plasmas high above the solar surface was shown to exist. Measurements by the Ulysses spacecraft, which are based on non-spectroscopic particle counting techniques, show that, with the exception of He, the elemental composition of the fast speed solar wind is similar to within a factor of 1.5 to the composition of the photosphere. In contrast, similar measurements in the slow speed wind show that elements with low first ionization potential (FIP < 10 eV) are enhanced, relative to the photosphere, by a factor of 4-5. By combining the SOHO and Ulysses results, ideas related to the origin of the slow speed solar wind are presented. Using spectroscopic measurements by the Solar Ultraviolet Measurement of Emitted Radiation (SUMER) instrument on SOHO the photospheric abundance of He was determined as 8.5 ± 1.3% (Y = 0.248). This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Properties of Coronal Hole/Streamer Boundaries and Adjacent Regions as Observed by Spartan 201

The Spartan 201 flights from 1993 to 1995 provided us with observations in H I Lyman-α of several coronal hole/streamer boundaries and adjacent streamers during the declining phase of the current solar cycle: Analysis of the latitudinal dependence of the line intensities clearly shows that there is a boundary region at the coronal hole/streamer interface where the H I Lyman-α intensity reaches a minimum value. Similar results are also found in UVCS/SOHO observations. We also discuss differences in the coronal hole/streamer boundaries for different types of streamers and their changes over the three year period of Spartan 201 observations. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

On the Lyman α and O VI Line Profiles in Streamers and Coronal Holes

The profiles of the Lyα line at 1215.6 Å and of the O VI doublet at 1031.9 Å and 1037.6 Å in the extended solar corona have been analyzed vs. latitude and radial direction, performing observations with the Ultraviolet Coronagraph Spectrometer (UVCS) on board the ESA-NASA solar satellite SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory). The results show that these lines behave differently with latitude: the H I Ly α line has larger full width at half maximum (FWHM) values in the streamer region and narrower values towards the pole, while the FWHM of O VI lines has a minimum at the center of the streamer and slightly increases towards the polar regions. We briefly discuss the impact of the results on coronal heating theories.     

Active Region Dynamics

New methods of local helioseismology and uninterrupted time series of solar oscillation data from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) have led to a major advance in our understanding of the structure and dynamics of active regions in the subsurface layers. The initial results show that large active regions are formed by repeated magnetic flux emergence from the deep interior, and that their roots are at least 50 Mm deep. The active regions change the temperature structure and flow dynamics of the upper convection zone, forming large circulation cells of converging flows. The helioseismic observations also indicate that the processes of magnetic energy release, flares and coronal mass ejections, might be associated with strong (1–2 km/s) shearing flows, 4–6 Mm below the surface.     

Signature of coronal holes and streamers in the interplanetary space

The properties of different solar wind streams depend on the large scale structure of the coronal magnetic field. We present average values and distributions of bulk parameters (density, velocity, temperature, mass flux, momentum, and kinetic and thermal energy, ratio of thermal and magnetic pressure, as well as the helium abundance) as observed on board the Prognoz 7 satellite in different types of the solar wind streams. Maximum mass flux is recorded in the streams emanating from the coronal streamers while maximum thermal and kinetic energy fluxes are observed in the streams from the coronal holes. The momentum fluxes are equal in both types of streams. The maximum ratio of thermal and magnetic pressure is observed in heliospheric current sheet. The helium abundance in streams from coronal holes is higher than in streams from streamers, and its dependences on density and mass flux are different in different types of the streams. Also, the dynamics of -particle velocity and temperature relative to protons in streams from coronal holes and streamers is discussed.     

3He-Rich Solar Energetic Particle Events

³He-rich solar energetic particle (SEP) events show huge enrichments of ³He and association with kilovolt electrons and Type-III radio bursts. Observations from a new generation of high resolution instruments launched on the Wind, ACE, Yohkoh, SOHO, TRACE, and RHESSI spacecraft have revealed many new properties of these events: the particle energy spectra are found to be either power-law or curved in shape, with the ³He spectrum often being distinctly different from other species. Ultra-heavy nuclei up to >200 amu are found to be routinely present at average enrichments of >200 times solar-system abundances. The high ionization states previously observed near ∼1 MeV/nucleon have been found to decrease towards normal solar coronal values in these events. The source regions have been identified for many events, and are associated with X-ray jets and EUV flares that are associated with magnetic reconnection sites near active regions. This paper reviews the current experimental picture and theoretical models, with emphasis on the new insights found in the last few years.     

UVCS/SOHO Ion Kinetics in Coronal Streamers

We made streamer observations with the Ultraviolet Coronagraph Spectrometer (UVCS) on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) during the early part of 1998, which was a time of moderate solar activity. We present an empirical study of coronal ion kinetics using the line profiles from these observations. Our first and most striking result is that the mid-latitude (ML) streamers have much narrower O VI 1032 Å line profiles than the solar minimum equatorial (SME) streamers. Our second result is that the line profiles from a small collection of ions in ML streamers do not seem to be consistent with the ions having a single temperature and turbulent velocity. We discuss several interpretations, including line of sight (LOS) effects. This work is supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration under grant NAG-3192 to the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.     

Outflow Velocities at the Base of a Polar Coronal Hole During the 1998 Total Eclipse

Polar coronal holes represent the most convincing site from which the high-speed solar wind originates. Here we report high-accuracy Doppler shifts measured in the O VI (1037.6 Å) line obtained by SUMER on SOHO inside an interplume region within the south polar coronal hole. We infer limits on the outflow velocity and draw hints about the flow geometry.     

Solar mass flow in fine-scale structures

Observations of transient and steady velocities at chromospheric, transition region and coronal temperatures in the quiet Sun and coronal holes are reviewed. The relevance of fine-scale structures in governing the mass balance of the solar atmosphere is stressed. At present, a coherent picture of these mass flows does not exist. However, the current observational base of transition region and coronal velocity information is limited but should greatly improve with measurements from the SOHO satellite.     

Comparing Quiet Sun and Coronal Hole Regions with CDS/SOHO

Spectra from the Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer on board SOHO are used to compare density and temperature in coronal hole and quiet Sun regions. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Nickel Isotopic Composition and Nickel/Iron Ratio in the Solar Wind: Results from SOHO/CELIAS/MTOF

Using the Mass Time-of-Flight Spectrometer (MTOF)—part of the Charge, Elements, Isotope Analysis System (CELIAS)—onboard the Solar Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft, we derive the nickel isotopic composition for the isotopes with mass 58, 60 and 62 in the solar wind. In addition we measure the elemental abundance ratio of nickel to iron. We use data accumulated during ten years of SOHO operation to get sufficiently high counting statistics and compare periods of different solar wind velocities. We compare our values with the meteoritic ratios, which are believed to be a reliable reference for the solar system and also for the solar outer convective zone, since neither element is volatile and no isotopic fractionation is expected in meteorites. Meteoritic isotopic abundances agree with the terrestrial values and can thus be considered to be a reliable reference for the solar isotopic composition. The measurements show that the solar wind elemental Ni/Fe-ratio and the isotopic composition of solar wind nickel are consistent with the meteoritic values. This supports the concept that low-FIP elements are fed without relative fractionation into the solar wind. Our result also confirms the absence of substantial isotopic fractionation processes for medium and heavy ions acting in the solar wind.     

Working Group 3 Report: Coronal Hole Boundaries and Interactions with Adjacent Regions

Summarized below are the discussions of working group 3 on "Coronal hole boundaries and interactions with adjacent regions" which took place at the 7th SOHO workshop in Northeast Harbor, Maine, USA, 28 September to 1 October 1998. A number of recent observational and theoretical results were presented during the discussions to shed light on different aspects of coronal hole boundaries. The working group also included presentations on streamers and coronal holes to emphasis the difference between the plasma properties in these regions, and to serve as guidelines for the definition of the boundaries. Observations, particularly white light observations, show that multiple streamers are present close to the solar limb at all times. At some distance from the sun, typically below 2 R, these streamers merge into a relatively narrow sheet as seen, for example, in LASCO and UVCS images. The presence of multiple current sheets in interplanetary space was also briefly addressed. Coronal hole boundaries were defined as the abrupt transition from the bright appearing plasma sheet to the dark coronal hole regions. Observations in the inner corona seem to indicate a transition of typically 10 to 20 degrees, whereas observations in interplanetary space, carried out from Ulysses, show on one hand an even faster transition of less than 2 degrees which is in agreement with earlier Helios results. On the other hand, these observations also show that the transition happens on different scales, some of which are significantly larger. The slow solar wind is connected to the streamer belt/plasma sheet, even though the discussions were still not conclusive on the point where exactly the slow solar wind originates. Considered the high variability of plasma characteristics in slow wind streams, it seems most likely that several types of coronal regions produce slow solar wind, such as streamer stalks, streamer legs and open field regions between active regions, and maybe even regions just inside of the coronal holes. Observational and theoretical studies presented during the discussions show evidence that each of these regions may indeed contribute to the solar slow wind. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Wind in the Solar Corona: Dynamics and Composition

The dynamics of the solar corona as observed during solar minimum with the Ultraviolet Coronagraph Spectrometer, UVCS, on SOHO is discussed. The large quiescent coronal streamers existing during this phase of the solar cycle are very likely composed by sub-streamers, formed by closed loops and separated by open field lines that are channelling a slow plasma that flows close to the heliospheric current sheet. The polar coronal holes, with magnetic topology significantly varying from their core to their edges, emit fast wind in their central region and slow wind close to the streamer boundary. The transition from fast to slow wind then appears to be gradual in the corona, in contrast with the sharp transition between the two wind regimes observed in the heliosphere. It is suggested that speed, abundance and kinetic energy of the wind are modulated by the topology of the coronal magnetic field. Energy deposition occurs both in the slow and fast wind but its effect on the kinetic temperature and expansion rate is different for the slow and fast wind.     

Elemental Abundances in Coronal Structures

A great deal of evidence for elemental abundance variations among different structures in the solar corona has accumulated over the years. Many of the observations show changes in the relative abundances of high- and low-First Ionization Potential elements, but relatively few show the absolute elemental abundances. Recent observations from the SOHO satellite give absolute abundances in coronal streamers. Along the streamer edges, and at low heights in the streamer, they show roughly photospheric abundances for the low-FIP elements, and a factor of 3 depletion of high-FIP elements. In the streamer core at 1.5 R·, both high- and low-FIP elements are depleted by an additional factor of 3, which appears to result from gravitational settling. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Manifestation of magnetic reconnection in coronal streamer current sheets

We investigate the possibility of observing the effects of magnetic reconnection inside a current sheet forming in a coronal streamer in the extended corona. In particular we study the possibility to observe with the UVCS of SOHO the excitation of the tearing instability in the current sheet.     

The Composition of the Solar Wind in Polar Coronal Holes

The solar wind charge state and elemental compositions have been measured with the Solar Wind Ion Composition Spectrometers (SWICS) on Ulysses and ACE for a combined period of about 25 years. This most extensive data set includes all varieties of solar wind flows and extends over more than one solar cycle. With SWICS the abundances of all charge states of He, C, N, O, Ne, Mg, Si, S, Ar and Fe can be reliably determined (when averaged over sufficiently long time periods) under any solar wind flow conditions. Here we report on results of our detailed analysis of the elemental composition and ionization states of the most unbiased solar wind from the polar coronal holes during solar minimum in 1994–1996, which includes new values for the abundance S, Ca and Ar and a more accurate determination of the ²⁰Ne abundance. We find that in the solar minimum polar coronal hole solar wind the average freezing-in temperature is ∼1.1×10⁶ K, increasing slightly with the mass of the ion. Using an extrapolation method we derive photospheric abundances from solar wind composition measurements. We suggest that our solar-wind-derived values should be used for the photospheric ratios of Ne/Fe=1.26±0.28 and Ar/Fe=0.030±0.007.     

Modeling coronal streamers and their eruption

Numerical solutions of the time-dependent MHD equations are used to generate ambient coronal streamer structures in a corona characteristic of that near solar minimum. The streamers are then disrupted by slow photospheric shear motion at the base of magnetic field lines within the closed field region, which is currently believed to be responsible for producing at least some CMEs. In contrast to several other simulations of this phenomena, the polytropic index is maintained at a value of 5/3 through the addition of coronal heating. Observations are used as a guide in determining the thermodynamic structure and plasma beta in the ambient corona. For a shear speed of 2.5 km/sec, the streamer configuration evolves slowly for about 65 hours before erupting outward with the formation of a CME. The bright CME leading edge travels outward at a speed of about 240 km/sec, and the sheared field lines follow at a somewhat slower speed. A closed magnetic field region is ejected as the magnetic field lines that were opened by the CME reconnect and reform the streamer.